Hear me out, I know you’ve already seen the picture and read the title and are probably thinking “Wow what’s so special about chopsticks?” or “Why is he so dramatic?” Well, there’s a lot that is special about these special tools unique to Asian culture. I’ve always taken chopsticks for granted but while thinking, I realize what a huge role it plays in my life other than being just a utensil.
Well first, a confession; I didn’t start eating with chopsticks every meal until I was around nine or ten years old. I always ate with a spoon at the dinner table unless I was in China at a restaurant. I still remember this game I would play with my father and my brother with chopsticks and peanuts. Peanuts would always be served before any dishes so we would try to see who could pick up the most in a row with chopsticks, and trust me, it wasn’t easy to get more than two.
Anyway, back to eating with spoons in my house. I don’t really remember why, but one day I asked my parents if I could eat with chopsticks like them. Doesn’t really sound significant but now that I think back, it’s one of the stepping stones of growing up. To me, the change from spoons to using chopsticks every day is probably as important as my elementary school graduation. In the beginning, it took a while to get used to the transition but eventually I started wielding the wooden sticks masterfully to smoothly guide each bunch of rice into my mouth.
I didn’t think that much of it when it happened but I think that it’s important to acknowledge change into a new era in life. Changing utensils didn’t cause me to suddenly grow two inches or become more mature but it was a minor step towards adulthood for me. Also, it would be pretty embarrassing to not be able to use chopsticks while being Chinese.
this is so funny how you began I thought I was gonna learn about going to chopstick college, and i love that you go back to your past and talk about how you played with chopsticks with your family, i am definitely going to try that when i go to another Chinese restaurant
This was an interesting article. Growing up, I had always used chopsticks and my mom forced me to use them the right way. However, I still find it easier to use forks or spoons rather than chopsticks. Thanks for sharing.
Funny article! I liked how you used the Chinese-American stereotype of chopsticks as a source of comedy. The writing’s style is fun and consistent throughout. The first lines hook the reader in and add a sense of mystery to what you’re talking about. The title also is attention grabbing for an Asian audience. I personally didn’t know how to start using chopsticks until when I was 12, so you’re not alone! I used to be embarrassed every time I asked for a fork or spoon at a Chinese restaurant, and the waiter along with the rest of my family would make that “I’m-so-dissapointed-in-you” face.
I don’t really enjoy using chopsticks. I can use them as it Chinese but still. I don’t have good proficiency. But thanks for the article. I still stick with forks and spoons.
This article was very funny! It seems like such a small thing to grasp, but I agree that learning how to weild chopsticks is a way of growing up, especially in an Asian family. I was too lazy to learn how to use chopsticks until I was around ten, and then I felt like a god. I was ashamed at myself at Chinese restaurants for using forks, so that was one of the main reasons for learning. The Daily China needs more articles like this. They’re funny and people need to know these small things.
This article was really interesting! I never really liked using chopsticks. I only had to use chopsticks when I was in China or in a Chinese class. This was great to read. Great Job!
This was a very interesting anecdote! I know chopsticks have been around for so long now, but using chopsticks has been a big struggle in my life because it took my a long time to learn how to use it. My whole family uses chopsticks but I still haven’t been able to use chopsticks the “correct” way. I agree that it’d be embarrassing to not be able to use chopsticks while being Chinese. The benefits of chopsticks is that it could do anything many of the other utensils couldn’t do. Hopefully I can learn how to easily use the chopsticks now and fit in with my family.
I’ve used chopsticks for as long as I can remember, but I’ve been told by friends and family that the way I hold my chopsticks is wrong. I cross them and apparently the correct way is to hold the two chopsticks separately and then like pinch your fingers together to grab your food..? Regardless, it’s too late for me to change now. I also use them in unusual ways. For instance, because I don’t want to dirty my hands I will eat chips with chopsticks. I’ve had gotten weird looks for doing that but I don’t think I’ll ever change. Thanks for sharing your personal story!
Chopsticks are really interesting, and I’m glad you wrote an article about it! I remember when I changed from forks and spoons to chopsticks just by observing how my parents used them. Thanks for sharing your anecdote! Thanks for sharing your personal story! I’m looking forward to another anecdote about your life and Chinese culture!
Funny article! I actually don’t use chopsticks at home but I do know how to use chopsticks (a little). Whenever I’m in Asia or with family members I’ll use chopsticks. I would also be told that I’m holding them wrong. I used to think they were hard to use but I think they’re actually pretty helpful. You don’t need a spoon, fork, and knife. Just a pair of chopsticks.
Funny Article! I have been using chopsticks for my whole life. I never knew that there was a correct way to hold them. Hopefully, I’ll see the right way to hold the chopsticks.
Awesome article! I started out the exact way as you did when using chopsticks. I always see my grandparents using them and found it really cool so while eating dinner, I used a pair of chopsticks instead of a spoon. After a few days, I found myself preferring chopsticks over spoons and now I’m pretty good at it.
Great article! I have used chopsticks for as long as I can remember. I remember learning practicing how to use chopsticks by picking up beans with them. When I was young, I always prefer forks and spoons over chopsticks. Now I prefer chopsticks over forks and spoons.
The title was pretty interesting and pulled me in. Personally, I never use chopsticks when I am eating at home. Spoons and forks are much easier to use than chopsticks. My parents used to scold me for not using chopsticks, but now they have become more lenient. Thanks for posting!
Very funny story! I also remember the time I didn’t use chopsticks when I was very, very, young. At that time, think using a spoon or a fork is more easier. This special utensil is mostly used to pick up solid foods such as tofu, vegetables, and meat. Now, as an adult, I learned to conquer the new technology of the chopsticks.
这真是太有趣了你怎么开始我以为我会学习去筷子大学，我喜欢你回到你的过去谈论你如何与你的家人用筷子玩，我肯定会尝试当我去另一家中餐馆
This was a very interesting story! I loved how it was clear and concise, while being cohesive. This personal experience is experienced by many Asian Americans. Although spoons and forks may be easier to use than chopsticks, they have become very useful for eating just about anything! Great article!
Interesting article! I only use chopsticks when I’m at an Asian restaurant but when I dont think about the way I hold it. I used to play that chopsticks game you talked about but it was pretty easy for me. I wouldn’t consider myself a master at using chopsticks but I’m still pretty good
Chopsticks are really interesting, and I’m glad you wrote an article about it! I remember when I changed from forks and spoons to chopsticks just by observing how my parents used them. Thanks for sharing your anecdote! Thanks for sharing your personal story! I’m looking forward to another anecdote about your life and Chinese culture!
Great article Larry! I loved your personal experience from transitioning to using chopsticks on a regular basis. I too remember learning how to use chopsticks and I never fully learned until I was about ten years old. I remember attempting to use chopsticks and the difficulty I had in picking up food when I first started. Even though it was a challenge at first, I eventually got better at it. I think that switching to chopsticks is a stepping stone almost like a graduation. I think that it shows maturity and growth. I also think that transitioning to using chopsticks is a personal experience for everyone. Thanks for sharing!
Great article! I never thought of using chopsticks as one of the stepping stones of growing up. It’s so interesting that for you the change from spoons to using chopsticks every day is probably as important as my elementary school graduation. In the beginning, personally, I never really used chopsticks, and now I wish I did. Thanks for sharing you story!
Great article, Larry! I had a similar experience to you. When I was about seven years old, I also transitioned from spoon and fork to chopsticks. It was a pretty big milestone for me as well. Now, I am so glad I learned to use chopsticks because I think they are so much more convenient. Thanks for sharing your experience!
A great throwback to the times when we first learned how to use chopsticks. I used to use this “facilitated chopsticks” that helped me grab things easier. I think I mastered using chopsticks when I was 4 but it was a hard process. Reading your article, I thought once more about the convenience chopstick gives us. I will never be able to eat noodles and beans with forks or knives.. Great article!
Great article! Using chopsticks is very difficult to me. When I go to a Chinese restaurant I do my best using them but half of the food I pick up, ends up falling on the floor. I remember playing games with chopsticks in 8th grade. We would see how many cotton balls we could get. It’s very cool to read that it was a milestone for you.
This is a great article, thanks for writing it, Larry. I personally love to use chopsticks and my entire family makes fun of me for using chopsticks and not a fork or spoon since we don’t come from a background that uses it, so it was interesting to see the other side of story of using chopsticks. I think it is ver interesting how you considered your primary ability to use chopsticks in everyday meals as a stepping stone toward adulthood, and I think that across many different cultures that’s are minor things like the use of chopsticks that distinguish a child’s further development.